NA Makes Amendments Regarding Deferral Acquisition

The National Assembly discussed and adopted today the draft amendments and supplements to the "Law on Military Service and the Status of Military Personnel."

“In our country, secondary education is mandatory for 12 years, which can be manifested either by studying for 12 years in school or by continuing education through vocational or secondary specialized educational programs after the 9th grade. The law stipulates that learners who have not yet completed their education until they reach the age of 19 automatically benefit from deferral. However, we have cases where education is not completed after turning 19, for which there are many reasons,” said Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasian.

According to the minister, this amendment regulates these cases, allowing learners to continue their education without interruption and to transition to military status or military service. “The existing law has gaps that create specific issues: the law restricts the grounds that can be applied regarding the preservation of educational rights for students who have turned 19. A deferral can be granted based on grounds determined by medical conclusions, considering health status, family circumstances, and other situations where the deferral had a different basis than education. Problems arose; the law has clarified that in any case of specified grounds, the possibility of continuous education is preserved, without interruption,” she stated.

Andreasian emphasized that this amendment is implemented based on experience and numerous issues registered during conscription time when regulating deferral matters. She is confident that this change will simplify the administration process and improve many students' opportunities to benefit from deferral without interruptions.